Ly-die

This image explains the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. I was amazed to see this story being interpreted according to the African context. In other words, it made me feel connected to my roots. I can see how Jesus could interact with the people in the village.

However, Zacchaeus felt invisible to Jesus. Since Zacchaeus was short in stature, I believe that climbing on the branches of a sycamore tree would make him visible to Jesus.

In addition to Jesus being able to see him, the entire crowd also noticed him. He was interested in seeing and hearing Jesus. As a result of his encounter with Jesus, his life was transformed in a positive way.

What is our Zacchaeus story? When have we been Zacchaeus? Have we experienced being invisible to Jesus or people?

Has life ever cut us down to size? Have we felt small and insignificant? Ignored and of little importance? Have we ever felt as if we did not measure up, that we were not enough?

Is it possible to forget the past and move on? Did we lose confidence because of the opinions of others? Are we trying to prove ourselves? Do our lives look like they are not improving?

If we feel connected to these questions, we probably know what it is like to be short in stature. It is likely to be Zacchaeus.

We can feel short of stature every moment of our lives, and we have to believe that Jesus is able to do anything new for us. We cannot escape or give up our lives. It is as if we were to deny Jesus. If we feel short-statured, we have to face our lives instead of running away from them. That’s what Zacchaeus did.

Zacchaeus did not want to be lost in the crowd. He refused to hide. He refused to run away. Instead, he ran ahead of the crowd and scaled the tree. He climbed that tree because he wanted to be seen by Jesus.

Whatever made us short and made us climb up the tree, that is where Jesus will stop to look us in the eye with love and acceptance. Jesus calls us back to a new life.

Let us not turn away from that place. Let us not turn away from the face of Jesus. Jesus is calling us to come down here right now. We have to come down.